SFA president Alan McRae remains confident Gordon Strachan can take Scotland to the 2018 World Cup Finals – despite our lamentable performance so far.

Speculation surrounded the former Celtic manager’s future after the recent 3-0 defeat by England at Wembley left the Scots second bottom of Group F with four points from 12.

However, an SFA review by the organisation’s eight-strong board backed Strachan who will now prepare for the visit of  Slovenia in March.

McRae was at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park to help with the draw for the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth-round where Rangers were paired with fellow Ladbrokes Premiership rivals Motherwell with Celtic away to either Albion Rovers or Queen of the South.

Afterwards, he explained the SFA’s decision to stand by their man He said: “Gordon is a good, experienced coach, a former international player, he has all the credentials, he has won trophies.

“He has a good group of players, they work as a group. We are obviously a bit disappointed to say the least in terms of four points from 12 which, if it had been six or seven we would have all have had at least a half smile on our face. But it is mathematically possible and I still think Gordon can take us to the play-offs.

“I am going to be positive. We are moving on. March will be the next home game, a great opportunity to get a win.

“It was always going to be difficult and we have made it more difficult for ourselves but I still think it is possible because we have four games at home.”

McRae confirmed the quest to find a new performance director to replace Brian McClair, who left in July, is ongoing.

However, he would not comment specifically on former Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay, reportedly one of the candidates, who was at Hampden Park on Sunday for Celtic’s 3-0 Betfred Cup win over Aberdeen.

He said: “As you know the performance strategy started about five years ago and there is a good lot of work going on just now  and we are looking forward to changing things, tweaking things, to say the least and get the new performance director in and try to move on from there.”

In a draw described by McRae as having “a good selection of ties” the other all- Premiership clash sees Kilmarnock, who won the trophy in 1997, welcome Hamilton.

Holders Hibernian will travel to Bonnyrigg Rose should the junior side win their replay at Dumbarton.

Partick Thistle host the winners of the tie between Highland League side Formartine United and League Two team Annan Athletic.

Aberdeen, who will look to return to Hampden for another final after a poor performance against Celtic on Sunday, are at home to Stranraer or East Kilbride, while Dundee United travel to Dingwall to face top-flight side Ross County.

Dundee welcome St Mirren or Spartans from the Lowland League, who battle it out tonight. Hearts were drawn away to Raith Rovers, while Inverness travel to face Elgin City.

The ties will be played on 21/22 January.